California District to Install Security Cameras at Elementary Campuses

Fresno Unified School District is installing security cameras on all of its elementary school campuses.

By Jessica Davis

April 15, 2019

Fresno Unified School District is in the process of installing new cameras and upgrading existing cameras on all elementary school campuses. The project will result in about two dozen cameras on each campus, which will feed into a central monitoring station that will be monitored 24/7.

"These are high-definition cameras," said Armand Chavez, with FUSD's Emergency Response. "We're able to zoom in and zoom out, the recording on it is high quality when you take a look at the replay on it."

School officials hope that increase in security will boost security on campuses for students and staff, as well as decrease after-hours vandalism.

"I think the one thing we've probably missed over the years with the absence of cameras is some of the things that have happened on the campus with vandalism and graffiti," Chavez said.

The principal of Aynesworth Elementary, one of 65 campuses in the district receiving the new cameras, said the equipment adds a layer of security.

"It's been received really well, including the kids," principal Cha Vang said. "We've talked to them about it's a way to keep you safe; it’s a way for us to monitor to make sure good things are happening here at school."

The elementary school camera installation project will cost $10 million. All high schools and middle schools in FUSD area are already equipped with video surveillance equipment.